Harburger Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas Lights

The South of Hamburg in Festive Mood

The Harburg district is often underestimated – here, south of the Elbe, live around 165,000 people, and the Christmas market around the neo-Gothic town hall is one of the more prominent Advent traditions outside Hamburg's city center. The Rathausplatz, with its brick architecture and narrow alleys, provides the backdrop that a classic North German Christmas market needs.

Christmas Lights – The Light Forest

What sets the Harburger Weihnachtsmarkt apart from many others is the specially staged light program "Harburg Christmas Lights": A designed light forest of fir trees, stars, and arches frames the stalls. In the evening, when the sun sets early, a cohesive atmosphere of light is created, possessing a quality rare for district festivals.

Frau Holle, Tower Musicians, Ferris Wheel

The highlights are clear and repeated year after year:

• Frau Holle (Holliday) regularly appears on the Rathaus balcony and showers the audience with snowflakes and chocolate coins – a classic for children.
• The Santa Claus is present in the market on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Tower musicians play music from the Rathaus balcony from Thursday to Sunday at 6 PM – an old Hanseatic tradition.
• Ferris wheel and children's carousel offer views and fun.
• An oversized advent calendar accompanies the days leading up to Christmas.
• On the last Sunday of the season, a fireworks display crowns the end of the market.

North German Market Culture

On the stalls, you'll find what you expect at a North German Christmas market: mulled wine and punch, bratwurst and almonds, kale with Pinkel sausage, potato pancakes, smoked fish. Local Hamburg and Harburg artisans offer ceramics, woodwork, jewelry, and decorations.

Organizer

The market is organized by WAGS Hamburg Events GmbH, which also operates other Hamburg district markets. The Hamburg Harburg district campaign supports media coverage.